Gunfire in home draws police response

NEWMARKET — Police on Friday identified two men arrested earlier that day in connection with shots fired from a single-family residence on Salmon Street.

The incident, just two weeks after a fatal officer-involved shooting claimed the life of Brentwood officer Stephen Arkell, resulted in a heavy response from law enforcement, an evacuation of about a dozen residences nearby, and safety measures being put into place to protect local children who were on their way to school.

Police charged Matthew Henderson, 37, the owner of 6 Salmon St. where the incident took place, with felony reckless conduct.

Both suspects are being held on $ 7,500 cash bail at Rockingham County Jail.

The incident unfolded at approximately 6:28 a.m. when Newmarket dispatch received three calls all reporting gun shots being fired in rapid succession from a house located at 6 Salmon St.

First responding officers arrived at the scene at 6:35 and made contact with a witness at the scene who confirmed shots had been fired from that residence.

By 8 a.m., law enforcement officers continuously descended on the street, including from Newmarket and surrounding communities as well as the Rockingham County Tactical Unit, State Police, and the Seacoast Emergency Response Team.

School buses in the area were stopped or rerouted and the area around the home was closed off by 7:30.

Police established a command center at the Newmarket Senior Center. Members of the Durham Fire Department also responded along with McGregor EMS personnel.

Residents not evacuated were advised to maintain shelter where they were. Because of the time and location of the incident, local schools were notified and advised to follow their school emergency plans and the schools voluntarily also sheltered in-place. The scene was declared safe at approximately 9:45 a.m.

There were no reported injuries.

Town Manager Steve Fournier remained on scene with first responders for the duration of the event until the “all clear” was given.

Newmarket police officers executed a search warrant at the residence recovering multiple firearms and ammunition including spent shells, from both inside and outside of the residence.

According to Police Chief Kevin Cyr, witnesses said shots were fired outward from inside both the front and rear of the home, though police had not confirmed those details. He said police were not fired upon, nor could they confirm the exact direction of the shots.

Cyr confirmed, however, that shots were heard from within the residence.

He said the first officer on scene was able to secure a perimeter and speak with neighbors to gain information.

He also said it was not immediately clear whether a third occupant was inside the home and that law enforcement would be doing a sweep of the house to secure it.

Responding units secured the area and eventually made telephone contact with the resident of the house. Henderson and Givens voluntarily left the residence and were arrested by Newmarket police.

After a sweep of the home by the Seacoast Emergency Response Team, it was determined there was no third occupant.

“Immediately what came to mind for me,” Cyr said, “in a small town, the chief is often the first to respond.”

Although a fatal and dramatic scene unfolded on Mill Pond Road in Brentwood on May 12 as an officer responded to the report of an argument and gunshots from within a home there, Cyr said that while a tragedy may still be fresh, it's crucial to go into a sort of different mode.

“You have to assess what's going on,” he said. My first thoughts, knowing the officer was already on scene was, 'Are they OK?'”

Henderson and Givens are both to appear at Brentwood Circuit Court on Monday.